By Okoi Obono-Obla
The ADC Crisis and the Culture of Impunity in Nigerian Politics:
The mass movement into the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a political party that has existed for over two decades but remained obscure, was done without due diligence. In their haste, those who joined failed to study the party’s constitution before attempting to hijack its leadership. Instead of exploring legal options through the courts or conflict resolution mechanisms embedded in the ADC Constitution, they resorted to bluster, blackmail, and propaganda, dragging the APC, INEC, and the federal government into their self-inflicted crisis.
A reasonable politician seeking to join a new party would first examine its constitution to understand the requirements for membership and leadership positions. The coalition that entered the ADC, however, ignored these provisions. Their clear intention was to usurp the party’s leadership, yet they neglected to study the constitutional requirements for removing leaders or becoming members of the National Executive Committee (NEC). In their desperation, they cornered only a few members of the ADC leadership, sidelining figures such as Nafiu Bala Gombe, who became Acting National Chairman after Ralph Nwosu’s resignation. This hurried and ill-conceived deal has now backfired, plunging the ADC into legal entanglements.
Articles 8 and 9 of the ADC Constitution make clear that coalition members were not qualified to assume NEC positions. Specifically, Article 9(4) requires that a member must belong to the party for at least two years before holding national or zonal offices, and must not be in arrears of membership dues. Unlike Article 9(3), which allows waivers for new members contesting political office, Article 9(4) cannot be waived. Therefore, as of August 2025, when Senator David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and others moved into the ADC and supplanted its leadership, they had not met the constitutional requirements.
In law, when a procedure is stipulated, it must be followed strictly. The blatant violation of the ADC Constitution is the root of its current crisis. Yet, instead of acknowledging this, the party leadership seeks to deflect blame onto external forces such as the APC and the federal government. This reflects a broader culture of impunity and disregard for constitutions, guidelines, and the Electoral Act 2026, which has become institutionalized in Nigerian politics. The ADC crisis is a warning sign: such disregard for rules threatens to destabilize the polity and should serve as a lesson to Nigerians.
Conclusion:
The ADC’s turmoil is not the product of external sabotage but of internal recklessness and constitutional violations. Nigerians must recognize this pattern of impunity in political parties and demand accountability, lest similar crises undermine the stability of future elections.
Leave a comment